TED WYMAN -- Winnipeg Sun

Albeit in a good way, it has been a tough week for members of the Flett family. So rough in fact they had to split up.

Now before you get to thinking a divorce lawyer is involved, let us explain the Fletts' predicament.

Jeff and Marilyn Flett, who live in Petersfield, have two children and both happen to be skipping teams at the provincial junior curling championships in Winnipeg this week.

Kyle Flett's foursome is tearing up the junior men's championship at Wildewood, putting together a 6-1 round-robin record before beating top seed Adam Norget of Heather 7-2 last night in the 1-vs.-1 Page playoff game to earn a berth in today's provincial final (1:30 p.m.).

Over at the St. Vital Curling Club, Kerri Flett skipped her rink to a playoff berth as well. She was playing Brandon's Erin Mahoney in the 2-vs.-2 playoff game last night.

On every occasion but one since Wednesday, Kerri's and Kyle's teams were on the ice at the same time, meaning Jeff and Marilyn had to make difficult choices.

"My dad comes to my games and my mom stays at Kerri's games," Kyle, 19, said yesterday afternoon. "It started off that way and ever since then we've been winning, so they are going to keep it that way."

Technology has not yet provided the Fletts a way to be in two places at once, but it certainly has made life in this situation much easier.

"We have to split up," Jeff said. "But the phones are ringing steady every three ends. We've been doing a lot of checking in all week. To have them both make the playoffs is pretty exciting."

What would be more exciting would be to have them both win provincial titles.

"We have talked about it," said Kyle, who needed only eight ends to dispose of Norget last night. "It would be kinda unique, but we don't think that way too much. We'll think about it when it happens."

It won't happen this year, as Kerri lost 9-8 to Mahoney last night, but she has two more years of junior eligibility and Kyle has one.

And family history is on their side. Marilyn's brother is B.C.'s Greg McAulay, who won the 2000 world men's championship for Canada.

"My uncle gave me a call yesterday and gave a nice pep talk and he called my sister and my folks," Kyle added. "He wants to come and watch us in Thunder Bay (site of the nationals) so I guess I better get to work."

It was suggested to Kyle that he and his sister could make things easier on their folks by forming a mixed team. That drew a chuckle.

"Years ago we tried and we were always bickering at each other," he said. "There was a bit too much swearing ... we haven't tried lately but we're older now, so I'm sure it would be better."

Travis Bale of West Kildonan beat Curtis Joyal of Springfield 10-5 in the junior men's Page playoff 2-vs.-2 game last night.